St Mary's CofE Primary School

Overview

St Mary’s CofE Primary School is described as a “caring school community” where pupils feel “happy and safe.” The report states that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, “achieve well” and are “well prepared for the next stage of their education.” Leaders have established an effective curriculum and personal development programme that fosters confidence and resilience.

Strengths

• Pupils “achieve well” in reading, writing, and mathematics, with attainment generally “close to and sometimes slightly above national averages.”
• Attendance is “close to national averages” due to effective support systems that “reduce any barriers to regular attendance.”
• Behaviour is positive, with “warm relationships” throughout the school and pupils showing “self-control and dedication to their learning.”
• The early years provide a “positive start,” with staff prioritising phonics, early mathematics, and independence.
• Inclusion is effective, with leaders having “high expectations” for all pupils and providing targeted support for those with special educational needs or disabilities.

Areas to improve

• Leaders should ensure teachers “consistently make highly effective choices across the curriculum about what to teach and how to teach it” so pupils achieve even more highly.
• There is work to be done to “sharpen teaching, particularly in some foundation subjects,” to help pupils deepen their learning.

Safeguarding

The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing “an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are “actively identified, acted upon and managed.”